5 reasons to fall in love with 'Difficult People'

On August 5, Hulu launched a brand-new comedy series: Difficult People. Executive produced by Amy *freaking* Poehler and starging Billy on the Street‘s Billy Eichner, plus writer/podcaster Julie Klausner, Difficult People has already been picked up for a second season by Hulu.

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Difficult People tells the tale of best friends forever Billy and Julie—two 30-something-year-olds living in New York City. If they can’t make it there, then they don’t want to make it anywhere. Both are aspiring comedians who work the mic at night. But during the day, Julie blogs recaps the latest Real Housewives episodes, and Billy is an awful waiter at a tiny restaurant. The two are sick of being surrounded by less talented but more successful people.

Much in the style of another Amy Poehler–produced show, Broad City, Difficult People is quick paced and wickedly entertaining. I would personally describe the show as the perfect mix of Broad City and Curb Your Enthusiasm. With every new episode that Hulu releases (unlike Netflix, Hulu releases its series on a weekly basis), the show just keeps getting better. If you can get past the R. Kelly/Blue Ivy joke in episode one, then you are pretty much golden. But if you need more convincing, check out five reason to fall in love with Difficult People below:

1. Billy Eichner is more than the guy who screams on the street.

When you look at Billy Eichner, you automatically realize he is the guy who yells at people on the street. Or, more famously, the guy who yelled at First Lady Michelle Obama and Big Bird. Even in his recurring role in Parks and Recreation, Eichner played Craig Middlebrooks, a city hall employee who would yell when he got overwhelmed. So color me surprised that Eichner was able to drop the yelling a play a “normal” waiter/comedic in Difficult People. I mean, I don’t think Eichner’s character has yelled once within the series.

2. Difficult People is filled with topical, fast, and witty dialogue.Difficult People likes to keep things current and in-your-face. The dialogue between Billy and Julie is quick and almost always ends with insulting a certain individual or group. Yes, sometime Billy and Julie may go too far—but at least they are just being their true selves.

Sometimes, it’s okay to laugh at inappropriate comments.

3. It’s filled with a hilarious supporting cast and A-list cameos. Sure, Billy and Julie may be the heart of the show, but the series is filled with scene-stealers. Deciding which supporting character is your favorite will be a challenge. Between Arthur (James Urbaniak), Julie’s PBS producer boyfriend; Marilyn (Andrea Martin), Julie’s psychologist mother; Matthew (Cole Escola), Billy’s co-worker and nemesis; and Denise (Gabourey Sidibe), Billy’s boss, there are enough personalities to appeal to everyone. The supporting cast is continuously challenging our main characters while reminding Billy and Julie that they are indeed not as famous or as successful as they think.

In addition to the wonderful and funny supporting cast members, Difficult People is filled with A-list cameos. Saturday Night Live favorites Fred Armisen and Kate McKinnon pop up in the series. Armisen plays Billy’s older brother, while McKinnon plays sober comedian and magician Abra Cadouglas. Martin Short, Andy Cohen, and Bridget Everett all make cameos as themselves. The series will also see appearances by Amy Sedaris and Deborah Harry. No big deal.

4. Billy and Julie represent friendship goals.

Yes, there is no denying that fact that both Billy and Julie are a wee bit bitter, and critical of the world and the hacks around them. But through all the bitterness and loathing, Billy and Julie are constantly supporting one another. The two are each other’s biggest fans, and perfectly represent “leave no bestie behind.” Billy and Julie maybe failing at being successful comedians, but they are perfect at being best friends.

5. Are Billy and Julie really the difficult ones? After binge-watching episode after episode, you may find yourself agreeing more with Billy and Julie then the seemingly sane people around them. This leaves you with the question: Who, really, are the difficult people in the world?

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons